From 1st January 2013 the Junior age band will be six years (under 21 by year of birth, ie the oldest players turn 20 during the year and the youngest players turn 15 during the year) and as confirmed before, the Cadet age band will be three years (under 18 by year of birth, i.e. the oldest players turn 17 during the year and the youngest players turn 15 during the year).

For 2013 the Junior age band will be for players born in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

For 2013 the Cadet age band will be for players born in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Changes to the contest rules in these age bands have also been announced.

From 1st January 2013 the use of both Shime-Waza (Strangle/Choking Techniques) and Kansetsu-Waza (Armlocking Techniques) are authorised in both Junior and Cadet age bands. The maximum contest duration remains four minutes.